Autocar India
•19w

Hello Autocar Team, we are planning to buy our first car with a budget of ₹7-10 lakh. We have shortlisted the Honda Amaze and the Kia Sonet, although we understand they belong to different segments. Could you please suggest which one would be the better choice for us? Additionally, we would appreciate any other recommendations within this budget. Personally, I am inclined towards Honda as a brand.

Verified
•19w

Go for the Honda Amaze V MT; within your ₹7-10 lakh, it fits a first-time buyer best with easy driving, proven reliability, a 420‑litre boot, and your Honda preference.

Because you’re new to car ownership, the Amaze’s light controls and calm ride make daily driving simpler; its length under 4,000 mm keeps parking stress low. 

Within ₹7-10 lakh, the S MT sits mid-variant, so you don’t compromise as much on basics, whereas a Kia Sonet at this price is closer to entry-level. The 420‑litre boot is handy for luggage on trips. Honda’s typical 10,000 km/1‑year service rhythm keeps maintenance planning straightforward.

The one thing you give up is the Sonet’s taller driving position and extra ground clearance, which some prefer for rough roads and speed breakers in smaller towns.

If you prioritise a high seat and rough‑road ability over boot space and sedan comfort, consider the Kia Sonet HTK 1.2 petrol instead, within the same ₹7-10 lakh band. The Kia Sonet price starts at Rs 7.40 lakh (ex-showroom).

On the test drive, check low‑speed clutch feel in stop‑go traffic and cabin noise at 80 km/h. Also, sit four adults and verify the 420‑litre boot swallows two 25‑inch suitcases.

Honda Amaze

Honda Amaze

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

I am a retired defence person, 63 years old, seeking to replace my Swift Dzire with something a little more premium, preferably an automatic, within a maximum budget of Rs 13-14 lakh. Please suggest a suitable vehicle.

Verified
•6h

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the most sensible recommendation. It is a step up from your Swift Dzire in terms of comfort and space while still remaining easy to drive and live with. The automatic gearbox on this Maruti Suzuki car is an AMT, so not as smooth as a torque converter gearbox that you would find in the Skoda Kylaq; however, driven at a sedate pace, it does ok. Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs are also a big advantage for long-term ownership.If you want to stick with a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT is also worth considering. It is a very comfortable and refined sedan with a smooth CVT gearbox and Honda’s reputation for reliability. However, the Brezza’s higher ground clearance and more commanding driving position make it the more practical choice overall.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
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•5d

I’m planning to buy a new car for casual use with a budget of under Rs. 11 lakh. It will primarily be used for city driving, including daily office commutes and occasional weekend trips, with an expected monthly running of around 300 to 400km. My priorities are reliability, low maintenance costs, good fuel efficiency, and a car that is hassle-free to own over the long term. I’m currently confused between the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Swift, Honda Amaze, New Brezza, and Fronx. I don’t specifically need a turbo-petrol engine, although I’m open to considering one if it offers good features. I would prefer a manual gearbox, but I’m also willing to consider an automatic or AMT if it delivers good mileage in city driving. The Dzire has caught my attention, but I’m slightly hesitant because of its three-cylinder engine. Please clear my confusion.

Verified
•1d

For your usage, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire is actually the most sensible choice. Your running is low, your usage is mostly city with occasional weekend trips, and you want reliability, low maintenance, and fuel efficiency. The Dzire is built exactly for this brief. The 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine is smooth enough in everyday use, and the car is light, easy to drive and very efficient in the city. Concerns about the three-cylinder engine are largely overstated. Modern 3-cylinder engines are well balanced and refined at city speeds, and the Dzire is tuned for efficiency and reliability rather than outright performance. In our real-world testing, the Dzire has managed 14.5kpl in the city and 20kpl on the highway. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is essentially the same mechanical package in a hatchback body, so the decision there is simply whether a hatchback or a sedan better suits your needs. The Honda Amaze is a good alternative if you specifically want an automatic. If the Honda Amaze price fits your budget, it gets a CVT, which is much smoother compared to the AMT on the Dzire, but it's not as fuel efficient. In our standard test cycle, the CVT Amaze mileage is 9.94kpl in the city cycle and 16.62kpl on the highway loop. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Fronx are both good cars, but they will not be as efficient in the city as the Dzire.Go for the Dzire manual and do not worry about the 3-cylinder engine – it is a well-proven, efficient and reliable package.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
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VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
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•4d

I want to buy my first car for casual and office use within a budget of Rs. 11 lakh. My monthly commute will be around 300-400 km. Mileage and low maintenance costs are my top priorities. I also want good reliability and resale value, as I plan to keep the car for at least 10 years. I prefer a naturally aspirated (NA) engine over a turbo engine, and I am open to MT/AMT options based on service costs and mileage. I am very confused between the Dzire, Swift, Amaze, Fronx, and the new Brezza. I need guidance on which one would be the best choice.

Verified
•2d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire petrol manual. It is the most sensible choice for your requirements. Your monthly running is low, so a naturally aspirated petrol engine is the right choice, and the Dzire’s 1.2-litre engine is proven to be reliable, efficient and easy to maintain. The manual gearbox is simple, robust and will keep running costs low over a long ownership period. This Maruti Suzuki car is also one of the most reliable cars in the segment, with excellent service reach and strong resale value, which is important given your 10-year ownership plan. It is comfortable for daily office commutes, easy to drive in the city, and has enough space for occasional family use. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is a good alternative if you prefer a hatchback, but the Dzire offers a more practical boot and a slightly more comfortable rear seat. The Honda Amaze is also a strong contender with a reliable naturally aspirated engine, but Maruti’s wider service network and lower maintenance costs give the Dzire the edge. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are good cars, but as turbo petrols they are not the best fit for your priorities of low maintenance and long-term ownership. The Dzire is the car that will give you the least hassle and the most peace of mind over 10 years.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I currently own a Skoda Kushaq Petrol AT. Everything is fine except the mileage. I am getting only around 10-13kpl with E20 petrol. My daily running is around 100 km. Should I buy a diesel car or an electric car?

Verified
•6d

With a daily running of around 100 km, fuel efficiency becomes a major factor in ownership costs. The Skoda Kushaq petrol automatic is a good car, but the 10-13kpl you are seeing is typical for a turbo petrol automatic, especially with E20 petrol. At this usage, a diesel or a strong hybrid makes far more sense.If you do regular highway runs, a diesel is still the most practical and cost-effective solution. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic would be the recommendation here. It is a strong highway car, comfortable, spacious and the diesel engine will deliver significantly better fuel efficiency than your Kushaq. Diesel running costs will be far lower over your kind of mileage. If that is out of your budget, something smaller like a Kia Seltos diesel, while not as powerful, is even more efficient.If your usage is mostly city a strong hybrid could be a better solution. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the most practical and cost-effective option. It is well priced, has a proven track record and will dramatically reduce your running costs. The strong hybrid is better suited to the city, where it is more likely to run on its electric motor than use the engine and deliver the better mileage.

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•4d

I’m planning to buy an EV with a budget of Rs. 19 - 20 lakh. My heart says the Tata Sierra EV Pure 63, but my mind says the Kia Syros top variant because of features like ventilated seats. Kindly suggest which one would be the better choice.

Verified
•3d

The choice really comes down to your usage and what you value in the car. If you need more space for both passengers and luggage and have a few long drives that you would undertake, then opt for the Tata Sierra. It is a much larger car and has a very spacious interior. The ride quality is also very good over both bad city roads as well as high highway speeds. If, however, your usage is mainly going to be within the city, then the Kia Syros is the better buy. Its compact footprint will be much easier to manage while driving congested streets, and finding parking would be easier. You would also enjoy the top variant of Kia car and its features.

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•1w

I am looking for a spacious car for three people, with a naturally aspirated engine, automatic gearbox, and good mileage in both city and highway driving. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Honda Amaze. My budget is Rs 10-15 lakh. Please suggest.

Verified
•6d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. It is the better fit for your requirements. You want a naturally aspirated petrol engine, good mileage in both city and highway driving, and a spacious car for three people. The Brezza delivers on all those points. The 1.5-litre petrol engine of this Maruti Suzuki car is smooth and reliable, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is well suited to Indian driving conditions. It is also a more spacious car than the Honda Amaze, with a wider cabin and better rear seat comfort for three people. The higher seating position and SUV stance also make it easier to drive in the city and over bad roads.The Amaze is a good car, but it is a compact sedan and does not offer the same level of space or practicality. The Brezza is the more complete package for your needs.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza price can vary between Rs. 7.39 lakh (ex-showroom) and goes up to Rs. 11.15 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant you choose.The Honda Amaze price starts at Rs. 7.9 lakh (ex-showroom) and extends up to Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant.

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Posted on: 20 Mar 2026